Virat Kohli is one of the few batsmen who managed to handle most bowlers around the world with confidence. Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, however, claims the Indian skipper would have enjoyed himself had he played against likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shane Warne.
In a recent interaction with cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, Shoaib said, “I wish Virat Kohli had played against the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shane Warne. Even Virat would have enjoyed himself.”
The 44-year old former Pakistani spearhead was praising Virat Kohli and said that the two would have been best of friends if they had played together. Akhtar said, “Virat Kohli and I would have been the best of friends. We both are Punjabi, we both have quite a similar nature.”
Akhtar also confessed that although Kohli is a lot junior to him, he really respects him. The fastest bowler of his era also poked fun by adding that despite all the similarities, he and the Indian skipper would have been best of enemies on the field as well.
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Akhtar added, “I would initially get into Virat Kohli’s head. I would tell him that there’s no way he can cut or pull me off my bowling.”
Speaking of Shoaib Akhtar, he has grabbed 178 Test wickets in 46 matches and 247 wickets in 163 ODI. He also has scrapped 19 wickets in 15 T20Is he played for Pakistan before retiring from international cricket in 2011.